Resources for Campus Community

Whether you are looking for a faculty expert, need information about UCSD, or need help on getting around the campus, University Communications and Public Affairs is standing by to assist you.

Who We Are ~ What We Do

University Communications and Public Affairs (UCPA), in the division of External Relations, manages a comprehensive communications program for UC San Diego, overseeing the units of all campus communications, including the communications offices of: SIO, Jacobs School of Engineering, the divisions of Biological and Physical Sciences, IR/PS, Arts & Humanities, Social Sciences, Development, and Health Sciences. UCPA also provides a variety of communications services to the divisions of Student Affairs, Academic Affairs, and Business Affairs and other vice chancellor areas. UCPA publicizes a wide range of University events and manages numerous electronic/web vehicles as well, including the UCPA website, Chancellor’s website, the campus e-newsletter This Week@ UCSD, and special project websites. In addition, UCPA supervises and manages institutional outreach efforts, including chancellor and other University senior leadership visits with the media, Publications, Advocacy & State and Local Government Relations (non-research), Special Events & Protocol, Campus-wide Marketing, and the Visitors Center.

Annually, UCPA staff initiate and manage thousands of media relations efforts locally, nationally, and internationally. The office serves as liaison between University communications, development, governmental and alumni offices and the office of Vice Chancellor, External Relations, ensuring that each unit is apprised of communications and marketing efforts. UCPA also assists campus clients with advertisement development and placement.

UCPA: Day-to-Day Activities

The day-to-day activities of University Communications and Public Affairs include the overall management of public relations issues for the university’s academic and administrative departments, strategy development, media relations, speechwriting, copywriting, university-wide calendar maintenance, issues research, gathering and distribution of daily clips, and promotions. The marketing and public relations efforts in UCPA include the promotion of research, student stories, events, and other activities as well as issues management and institutional positioning initiatives. On a daily basis, the Publications Office manages and produces a wide range of publications on behalf of the university and individual campus clients. The Special Events & Protocol Office is engaged in planning, developing and coordinating a variety of events for UCSD and External Relations. UCPA also encompasses the University’s Advocacy & State and Local Government Relations efforts, which are aimed at maintaining positive communications with legislators and other governmental representatives and their staff. UCPA also manages a university-wide “experts database” of UCSD faculty interested in providing commentary to the press. In addition, UCPA oversees production of a TV satellite studio used for local and national faculty interviews.

UCPA Publications

Last year, UCPA Publications supervised and produced more than 500 publications on behalf of UC San Diego clients. Publications played a leadership role in the development of the university’s graphic guidelines and continues to oversee the campus identity. The department serves as a recharge unit for graphic design and editorial services determining the overall design direction and production of graphic art projects for the university. Publications staff consult with UC San Diego divisions and departments to develop print and Web/Internet marketing strategies, establish timelines, and provide budgets to meet individual clients’ publishing needs.

UCPA Special Events & Protocol

The Special Events and Protocol (SE&P) unit is responsible for creating and directing a variety of events and ceremonies that are hosted by the Chancellor and/or External Relations units, including University Communications, Development, the UCSD Foundation or Alumni Relations. Special Events staff plan and manage about 100 special events each year, and advise the Chancellor and campus leaders on matters of protocol. Special Events oversees the Visitor’s Center, which provides Sunday tours conducted by adult voluteers for VIP’s, visiting families, faculty, visiting dignitaries, etc.

Advocacy & State and Local Government Relations

The UCPA Advocacy Office, which oversees State and Local (Non-Research) Government Relations efforts, directs, plans and manages relationship and support-building activities to support and enhance local and state government relations. The Advocacy unit directs a campus-wide committee of reliable and committed advocates that can speak out for and advocate on behalf of UC San Diego issues, projects and concerns. Advocacy and S&GR staff network with regional, state, national and international industry, business, trade and community representatives to increase the effectiveness of governmental relations activities. The office also monitors non-research related state, and local government policies and legislation and maintains positive relations with legislative and governmental staff.